NASA and DARPA have teamed up to demonstrate whether it’s possible to use nuclear-powered rockets to get to Mars faster than when using current methods.
There is no denying that the rapid advancements in space technology and plummeting costs have made rocky launches more cost-effective. The increased commercialization of space has also meant that rocket launches are becoming increasingly common these days. For example, 2022 alone witnessed the launch of more than 180 rockets by government-owned space agencies like NASA, ESA, CNSA, and ISRO, as well as private space companies like SpaceX.
Despite the continued increase in the number of rocket launches and several advancements in propellants, the basic technology behind the functioning of these rockets has remained the same. Nearly all rockets used for space travel today fall into the category of chemical rockets that generate thrust by combining the explosive power of rocket fuel and an oxidizer. However, unbeknownst to many, chemical rockets are not the only type of rockets conceived by scientists.
